In Japan, Kanazawa University researchers developed a novel carboxylate-type liquid zwitterion as a solvent of biomass, which could dissolve cellulose with very low toxicity to microorganisms. Use of this novel solvent enables significant reduction of energy cost for ethanol production from non-food biomass. They succeeded in reducing the toxicity to microorganisms by developing a novel […]
In India, although Bharat Petroleum Corporation announced a year ago that it would develop a second-generation ethanol plant using crop waste, it still hasn’t been allotted land for the project by the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited. Fingers are being pointed at the national labor minister for getting in the way of […]
In Canada, five projects have been selected for funding in Round 8 of the Genomic Applications Partnership Program, for a total investment of C$24.5 million ($8.1 million from Genome Canada and $16.4 million from co-funding partners including provincial governments, private sector and not-for-profit organizations). These project include a project led by Krishna Mahadevan (BioZone) & […]
In Washington, reform of the Renewable Fuel Standard could be on its way following confirmation of a meeting between President Trump and oil industry leaders regarding biofuel policy. The meeting was a result of Texas Senator Ted Cruz blocking the approval of a high level USDA appointment in the Senate until the meeting was agreed. […]
In Japan, biodiesel produced from used cooking oil will be used to power more than 420,000 pink LED lights in cherry trees along 2.2km of road in Tokyo’s Meguro river, meant to resemble the famous cherry blossoms the attract visitors from around the world every spring. The demonstration began seven years ago after the Fukushima […]
In the Netherlands, an open letter to the Dutch cabinet signed by 178 Dutch scientists called on policy makers to ensure that food crop-based biofuels were not included in the European energy policy post-2020. “We, the undersigned, wish to express our sincere worries about the European biofuel policy. In this letter we urgently implore you […]
As any observer of roadkill knows, time takes care of even the most complex organisms if they die by the side of the road — rots sets in, and time takes its toll, and bones are generally all that is left by the side of the road. Rot is nature’s free bioconversion technology — and […]
There are two approaches to encouraging low-carbon fuels — volumetric mandates and carbon reduction incentives. What is different about a Low Carbon Fuel Standard — as compared to a Renewable Fuel Standard? There are 4 primary differences. 1. An RFS creates a standard, and any fuel that meets that standard can compete in that market. Once […]
Codexis is a leading protein engineering company that applies its technology to the development of biocatalysts for the commercial manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Codexis’ proven technology enables implementation of biocatalytic solutions to meet customer needs for rapid, cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing. Codexis CEO John Nicols gave this illuminating presentation on the company’s progress, […]
In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency released its final Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations for 2018. The agency finalized a total renewable fuel volume of 19.29 billion gallons , of which 4.29 BG is advanced biofuel, including 288 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel. As the Renewable Fuels Association explained: “That leaves a 15 BG […]
